Quillaja is a genus of flowering plants, the only extant genus in the family Quillajaceae with two or three known species.[1] It was once thought to be in the rose family, Rosaceae,[2] but recent research shows it belongs in its own family. The inner bark of the soap bark tree (Q. saponaria) contains saponin, which is a natural soap. Members of this genus are trees that grow to about 25 metres (82 ft).
Quillaja | |
---|---|
Quillaja saponaria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Quillajaceae |
Genus: | Quillaja Molina |
Species | |
See text | |
Distribution of the Quillajaceae | |
Synonyms | |
Fontenellea A.St.-Hil. & Tul. |
Species
editThe species were revised by Federico Luebert in 2014:[3]
Image | Name | Distribution |
---|---|---|
Quillaja brasiliensis (A.St.-Hil. & Tul.) Mart. | Brazil | |
Quillaja saponaria Molina | central Chile in the forests of La Campana National Park and Cerro La Campana |
References
edit- ^ Christenhusz, M. J. M. & Byng, J. W. (2016). "The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotaxa. 261 (3): 201–217. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.
- ^ "Description and images of Quillaja saponaria (Quillay), a native Chilean plant, provided by the supplier of native exotic Chilean seeds". chileflora.com. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
- ^ Luebert, F. (2014). "The taxonomy and distribution of the genus Quillaja Molina (Quillajaceae". Feddes Repertorium. 124 (4): 157–162. doi:10.1002/fedr.201400029.